Former President Donald Trump is raising the stakes on his trade fight with China by signing a new tariff on Chinese ships under so-called 301 petition. As part of an overall strategy for pushing back at what Trump considers “unfair trade practices,” the action will charge fees for ships sailing through American waters and having connections with China, with the fees in place in six months.
The move is made in increasing bipartisan pressure in Washington to curb U.S. economic dependence on Beijing. Trump says the tariff is required to safeguard American maritime interests, maintaining that Chinese shipping companies enjoy unfair subsidies and monopolize world freight routes to the disadvantage of U.S. commerce.
Opponents claim the charge could upset world supply chains and burden American importers already coping with inflation and delays in shipping. Industry observers warn that the policy could also spur retaliatory action by Beijing, threatening to worsen an already volatile trade environment.
Despite mounting concerns, Trump appears undeterred, saying, “We’re standing up for American workers and taking back control of our ports.” The tariff, if enforced, could reshape the dynamics of international maritime trade and deepen economic divisions between the world’s two largest economies.
